I was perusing my photos today, looking for one something in particular, but instead I came across these. I thought they might make a nice addition to this week’s Photo Challenge:  Community.  Last year, my husband and I wanted to do something for the Holiday Drive at Children’s Friend (in Providence), but we weren’t in a position to be able to take the traditional route of “adopting a family”.  Instead we decided that we’d participate by hold a diaper drive in our neighborhood.

Steve made a great flyer to announce our intention to our neighbors.  About a week or so before the event, he went door-to-door on six streets including ours, and dropped the flyers off.  We’d never done anything like this before and really had no idea what to expect.  It’s not as if we really know too many of our neighbors by name, so we hoped for the best.

For the week leading up to our collection dates I announced our effort on my Facebook page and sent emails to family and friends.  I also made cookies; lots of cookies.  I also asked if I could use one of the big banners from Children’s Friend to put on our porch in the hopes of drawing attention of passersby.  We were ready!

Neighbors and friends stopped by with handmade scarves, hats, mittens, diapers in all sizes, wipes, handmade baby quilts, even a “diaper cake” from someone whose newborn had already outgrown the tiny white diapers since the family brought him home from the hospital. By Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm we were able to fill the back of Steve’s truck with diapers, wipes, hats, mittens, quilts, and toys for the Holiday Drive.

We didn’t take the time this season to do the drive again, but one of our lovely neighbors, Shelley, dropped off some beautiful handmade scarves and hats.  She said she’d been making them all year so she could donate them to us again.  I was so touched by such a generous gift.  So, today I’m thanking the folks who helped us out last year; and, to Shelley whose warm, wonderful woolies, will keep someone warm this winter!